A Reveal - and Casual Friday Turned Steampunk, and a Saturday Brunch

It all started with a hat. L and I were invited to an art opening last night for our friend, Carollyne, who is an up-and-coming Soon To Be Famous Artist (true, please visit her blog and website!). We knew there were people there who were going to be dressed up like the characters in the artwork and paintings, so L and I decided to dress up as well. Any excuse!

And now the reveal! Here is my handsome husband, my partner in crime and my best friend: We went for a combination of Mad Hatter and steampunk and Victorian. We're posed in the boardroom at my work. I had warned everyone at work that I'd be putting on some odd clothes, and that L would be stopping by.

We walked from my office, and over the bridge to the studio, which is located in a rather industrial part of town. As I wasn't able to do an outside staircase shot, I had L take a picture in the waning light. The clouds were getting all pinky by the time we got there.
The studio was packed after about an hour.
There were bronze sculptures, paintings, digitally-altered photo art, and knit sculpture. Art opening are always a great place to do a little schmoozing and connecting with other artistic-minded people. I got a couple of new recommendations for second-hand and consignment stores!

Carollyne was in fine form. She's the one in the green wig, to match one of her paintings. I managed to restrict myself to one mini-cupcake, if you were wondering!

All of these ladies were dressed like one of Carollyne's squirrel series of paintings (in the background). My favourite was the lady in the pink with the red hat.

I ended up talking with Tierre Joline, and I'm hoping to have her design and make a custom hat for me! She made the red hat she's wearing. Two hatted artsy chicks.

But let's back this up a bit, now. It all started with the hat.
I carried that hat (and what it contained) with me to work to do a quick change into my party outfit.

This is what I started out with: My Noa Noa striped frock coat, a plain cream sweater with my plaid bustier over it, my skinny cropped dark jeans, and my knee-high black boots. Added a jangle with my double necklace and some plain gold hoops.

Wendy, how's this for a peplum?

I love how this bells out when I walk.

I changed this up for the art opening by swapping out the jeans for a long skirt. Here's a shot of just the sweater and skirt:

I got that skirt for free! It was in a $5 clearance bin at my trade-in consignment store, and Annie said I could just have it. I've been holding onto it for over a year, waiting for the right occasion. Last year just didn't have very many parties. The funny thing is, I used to have this exact same skirt, that I bought new at Le Chateau in about 2004...but in a size 13/14 (and it was tight). This one is a 3/4.

I also put the bustier on over the jacket (instead of under it), then belted it. I added my vintage 80s top hat, with a Smoking Lily obi tied around it, another necklace (the watch) which was pinned to my lapel, and well, that's about it. It was an easy but dramatic transformation.

The work stuff: And the dressy accoutrements: All the jewelry: The Scrabble tile "S" was pinned to the obi on the hat, and I hung a key charm on each of the hoop earrings.

On the way home, we saw this graffiti:"Are you alive?" You bet I am.

Work outfit: coat (Noa Noa), bustier (Le Chateau, consignment), sweater (Trina Turk, consignment), jeans (Jackpot, swap from Caro), boots (Gabor), necklace (Plum), scarf (Smoking Lily).

Dress outfit: coat (Noa Noa), bustier (Le Chateau, consignment), sweater (Trina Turk, consignment), skirt (Le Chateau, consignment), boots (Gabor), belt (Jacob), necklaces (both Plum), obi (on hat, Smoking Lily, consignment), hat (vintage 80s, Le Chateau), purse (Spencer & Rutherford, gift from L), gloves (Parkhurst).

Today, I got up early and went to my Weight Watcher meeting. It's been a while since I went as a member (I've been avoiding it because I knew I had put on a few pounds with all my birthday celebrating). Happily, I am back to my goal weight!

However, I always plan my WW outfits so that they are light in weight. I never, ever weigh myself in jeans! I wanted to wear my new zebra-striped shoes, so I built the outfit around them. That's my faux suede midi-length skirt (2nd outfit), and my lovely Chinese brocade top.

Vizzini was very lovey this morning: He's looking at Inigo down the hall (see him?).

It was not too chilly out this morning, so I just wore my thick silk and wool tweed jacket and long leather gloves:Vizzini really liked attacking the faux fur collar.

I don't usually buy flats, but I loved these. They are leather (the texture is hairy), with flexible rubber soles. They're Aerosoles - I got them free for trade-in last weekend. They're barely worn, so I was pretty happy with them. I can tell exactly why they were consigned and even why they got marked down in the consignment store: the sizing is wrong! I'm a size 9 to 9.5 (a Euro 40) and these are marked size 8. They would be huge on a real size 8, but are a perfect snug fit on me (I walked all over town after brunch, and they were awesome).

Always try on shoes within a size or two of your own size in second-hand stores - you never know what might fit!

Jacket (Precis Petite), top (Le Chateau, consignment), skirt (Precis Petite, thrifted), shoes (Aerosoles, consignment), gloves (Club Monaco, consignment), earrings (Plum), wrist-wrap (Club Monaco).

Hope you're having a great weekend!